System and method for providing hands free operation of a phone

• US 20040185919A1
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Yoo
• Original Assignee: John Yoo
• Inventors: Yoo, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,120,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0258 for a headset device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

A phone handset having a speaker and a microphone which are connected by a flexible connector to form a connected unit, wherein the connected unit is detachable from the handset to form a headset. In a preferred embodiment, the connected unit is automatically releasable from the handset via a release means, which when activated, forcibly inserts the speaker of the connected unit into a user'"'"'s ear when a hands-free mode is desired. The connected unit may be physically and electrically connected to the handset via a retractable cord, or may comprise a wireless headset device. An apparatus according to the present invention advantageously provides vastly improved convenience in hands-free phone operation and uninterrupted phone conversation during user transitions between a handset mode and a hands-free mode and vice versa.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus comprising:

a phone handset having a speaker and a microphone;

a connector for connecting the speaker to the microphone to form a connected unit, said connected unit being detachable from the phone handset to provide a handsfree headset wearable by a user.

2. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector is comprised of a flexible material.

3. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the phone handset includes a molded cavity therein within which the connected unit is releasably mounted.

4. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the speaker is insertable into the user'"'"'s ear canal.

5. The communication apparatus of claim 4, wherein the phone handset includes a release mechanism for automatically detaching the connected unit from the handset and inserting the speaker into the ear canal of the user.

6. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connected unit includes a flexible ear hook for placement over the user'"'"'s outer ear to secure the headset onto the user.

7. The communication apparatus of claim 6, wherein the speaker of the headset is insertable into the user'"'"'s ear canal.

8. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the phone handset includes a fastening mechanism for securing the connected unit onto the handset.

9. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the phone handset includes a release mechanism for automatically releasing the connected unit from the handset.

10. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the headset wirelessly communicates with the phone handset during operation.

11. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the headset is physically and electrically connected to the phone handset via a cord.

12. The communication apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cord is retractable within a retractable cord unit on the phone handset.

13. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the phone handset comprises a flip-down mobile phone having a hinge.

14. The communication apparatus of claim 13, wherein the connector includes a joint region for allowing the connector to conform to the hinge of the flip-down mobile phone during opening and closing of said flip-down mobile phone.

15. A method for providing hands-free operation of a phone comprising the steps of:

providing a phone handset having a speaker and a microphone;

providing a connector for connecting the speaker to the microphone to form a connected unit, wherein said connected unit is detachable from the phone handset to provide a hands-free headset.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of providing the phone handset with a molded cavity therein within which the connected unit is releasably mounted.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the connector is comprised of a flexible material.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of providing an insertable speaker for insertion into a user'"'"'s ear canal.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of providing a release mechanism for automatically detaching the connected unit from the handset and automatically inserting the insertable speaker into the ear canal of the user.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a flexible ear hook attached to said connected unit for placement over the user'"'"'s outer ear to secure the headset onto the user.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of providing an insertable speaker for insertion into the user'"'"'s ear canal.

22. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a fastening mechanism for securing the connected unit onto the handset.

23. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a release mechanism for automatically detaching the connected unit from the handset.

24. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of wirelessly communicating between the phone handset and the connected unit.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the headset includes a physical and electrical connection to the phone handset via a cord.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the method further includes retracting the cord within a retractable cord unit on the phone handset.

27. A system for providing hands-free operation of a phone comprising:

a phone handset having a detachable speaker insertable into an ear canal of a user, a detachable microphone, a release mechanism, and a molded cavity therein; and

a formable detachable connector for connecting the detachable speaker to the detachable microphone to form a detachable connected module receivable within the molded cavity, wherein the release mechanism when activated automatically detaches the connected module from the handset and automatically inserts the detachable speaker into the ear canal of the user to provide a hands-free headset.